Illumination and mounting means



Oct. 5, 1965 c. WOOFTER ETAL 3,210,532

ILLUMINATION AND MOUNTING MEANS Original Filed June 12. 1961 2Sheets-Sheet 1 IN VEN TORS ROBERT c. WOGFTER RICHARD J. LA/VDER SAMUEL6t GRIFFITH THEIR ATTORNEY w-I v Oct. 5, 1965 c. WOOFTER ETAL 3,210,532

ILLUMINATION AND MOUNTING MEANS Original Filed June 12 2 Sheets-Sheet 12ROBERT C. W00 TEP RICH/UFO J LA DER SAMUEL G. GRIFFITH IN VEN TORJ'THE/l? A T TO/FIVE) United States Patent 3,210,532 ILLUMINATION ANDMOUNTING MEANS Robert C. Woofter, Cortland, and Richard .I. Lander andSamuel G. Griffith, Warren, Ohio, assignors to General MotorsCorporation, Detroit, Mich, a corporation of Delaware Originalapplication June 12, 1961, Ser. No. 116,601, now Patent No. 3,125,299,dated Mar. 17, 1964. Divided and this application June 17, 1963, Ser.No. 288,406 8 Claims. (Cl. 240-71) This is a divisional application ofcopending application Serial No. 116,601-Woofter et al. filed June 12,1961, now U.S. Patent 3,125,299-Woofter et al. issued March 17, 1964belonging to the assignee of the present invention. This inventionrelates to illumination and mounting means for use on motor vehicles andthe like.

An object of this invention is to provide a new and improvedillumination and mounting means economical to produce and easy toassemble and disassemble with a minimum of parts and effort.

Another object of this invention is to provide a lamp mounting assemblyincluding a base portion and lens portion both of insulating materialWith the lens portion adapted to be separable from the base portion bylocking barbs on the lens portion that can be displaced by flexing forsnap on-ofi? engagement as well as twisting and the like for access to alightbulb electrically engageable with at least one combination clip andterminal means both for mounting and electrical engagement of the bulbwhile a conductor is attached directly to a side of the clip andterminal means separated from the bulb by the base portion of theassembly.

Another object of this invention is to provide illumination and mountingmeans having a base portion of insulating material with an elongatedcavity to be covered by a snap on-off lens of translucent flexiblematerial and longitudinally adjacent to an on-off switch portionintegral with the base portion having slots therein to receive a U-shaped combination clip and terminal means each having a pair ofresilient clips of the U-shaped portion notched to provide an interlockfor a pair of diametrically opposite bayonet-like lugs that project froma lampbulb having a central contact engageable electrically by aprojection on a contact member having an extension arm with a hook enddisplaceable for ground connection by a button means movable in theswitch portion While the projection urges the bulb and lugs thereof intointerlock fit of the notched combination clip and terminal means.

Still a further object of this invention is to provide illumination andmounting means having a base portion of insulating material providedwith multiple terminal means having at least one thereof provided with aU- shaped portion of combination clip and terminal means having aconductor crimp portion, a base of which is common to crimp and U-shapedportions with the latter including a pair of resilient integral legseach having a notch-like recess along one edge against which bayonetlugs of a lampbulb base can be urged into a locking position maintainedby further terminal means to include a crimp portion angularly integralwith at least one generally wavy end portion to abut axially against thelampbulb base both for electrical energization and resilient urging ofthe base lugs into each of the notch-like recesses.

Another object of this invention is to provide lampmounting terminalmeans including a wire crimp portion integral laterally with a base of aU-shaped portion including legs each having a semi-annular portionsubstantially parallel to the other and provided with notch-like axialedge recesses to complement diametrically opposite lug-like projectionsof a bayonet-type lampbulb base re- 3,210,532 Patented Oct. 5, 1965siliently urged longitudinally thereof to assure looking ongagement ofthe lugs in the edge recesses.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparentfrom the following description, reference being had to the accompanyingdrawings wherein preferred embodiments of the present invention areclearly shown.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a plan view of one lamp mounting assembly in accordance withthe present invention.

FIGURE 2 is a cross-sectional elevational view taken along line 2--2 inFIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a cross-sectional view of a lamp mounting and terminalassembly similar to that of FIGURE 2.

FIGURES 4 and 5 illustrate end views in the direction of arrows 4 and 5,respectively, in FIGURE 3.

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary side view of a lampbulb and terminal assemblysimilar to that of FIGURE 7 of US. Patent 3,125,299-Woofter et al.issued March 17, 1964 and belonging to the assignee of the presentinvention.

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary end View taken along line 77 of the assemblyin FIGURE 6.

FIGURE 8 is a cross-sectioned elevational view of a lamp-mountingterminal assembly similar to that of FIG- URE 3.

FIGURE 9 is an elevational view of another lamp mounting assemblyparticularly sectioned to show another lens fastening structure.

A need exists in the automotive industry for newly simplified andimproved illumination and mounting means for use on motor vehiclesincluding structures such as dome lamps, parking lamps, truck lamps,back-up lamps, marker lamps and other applications where lighting mightbe desired. In some instances, an illumination and lampmounting assemblycan include integral switching means and views of FIGURES 1 and 2illustrate improvements in such an assembly. FIGURES 1 and 2 include ashowing of a lampmounting and switch assembly generally indicated bynumeral 20 having an elongated base portion 21 of insulating materialwith a substantially rectangular elongated cavity 22 to be covered by asnap on-otf lens 23 of translucent and flexible plastic material. Thelens 23 includes at least a pair of opposite barb-like projections 24integral therewith and adapted to engage an undercut bezel-like flangeportion 25 integral with the base portion 21 and substantiallysurrounding the cavity 22. Integral adjacent to one end of the baseportion 21 there is an extension 26 slotted or apertured to receive aswitch button or cam-like actuator 27 engaged by a resilient end orhook-like contact portion 28 displaceable by the button or actuator 27to be in and out of engagement with a sheet metal mounting member orpanel 29 of a motor vehicle. This panel or mounting member 29 can begrounded electrically relative to a battery B which is provided toenergize a lampbulb or illumination means as will be de scribed infurther detail in the following paragraphs.

The end 28 which is resiliently displaceable for establishing electricalenergization relative to the battery B can be an integral part orextension of a terminal means generally indicated by numeral 30 inFIGURE 2 and including a longitudinally extending floor portion whichinterconnects the end 28 to a lampbulb engaging contact portion 32extending angularly to one side thereof so as to form a substantiallyL-shaped configuration. The contact engaging end portion 32 projectsthrough a slot S in the base portion 21 and extends transversely withrespect to the elongated cavity 22. A laterally bent tang 33 integral atone end with the contact portion 32 and having a free end abuttingagainst a shoulder 34 can lock the terminal means 30 against inadvertentremoval from the base portion 21. Flexibility of the end 28 is enhancedby length of the floor portion 31 of the termi- 3 nal means 30 andfitting of the contact portion 32 to project through the slot S permitsthe contact portion 32 of the terminal means 30 to abut resilientlyagainst a contact 36 extending axially from a lampbulb generallyindicated by numeral 37 and including a cylindrical or substantiallyannular metal base portion 38 having substantially diametricallyopposite lug-like bayonet projections 39 provided laterally therewith.Suitable insulation I can separate contact 36 from the metal sleeve 38such that opposite ends of a filament (not shown) inside the lampbulb 37can be electrically attached for energization between the contact 36 andmetal sleeve 38. The contact portion 32 of terminal means 30 can provideboth electrical engagement for energization as determined by button oractuator movement as well as axial biasing of the lampbulb 37 to havethe bulb urged into interlocking engagement with a further terminalmeans generally indicated by numeral 40 in FIGURE 2.

This terminal means 40 includes a wire crimping portion 41 adapted fordirect attachment to a conductor or wire W energized from battery B withthe wire W coming directly from an electrical wiring harness and thelike to avoid necessity for additional terminal blocks, studs,terminals, blades and other attachments. The crimp portion 41 isintegral with a base 42 of a U-shaped portion including a pair ofintegral contact legs 43 which are adapted to embrace the sleeve-likemetal base 38 of the lampbulb 37. Laterally outwardly extending tangmeans 44 are provided integrally with each of the legs 43 and thesetangs 44 are adapted to abut and engage one side of the base portion 21in locations adjacent to substantially parallel cutouts through whichthe legs 43 project. The floor-like base 42 integral with both the crimpportion 41 and legs 43 can engage an opposite side of the base portion21.

The lug-like projections 39 of the bayonet-type lampbulb 37 can engageone of a pair of diametrically oppositely located notch-like recesses 46under resilient urging of the contact portion 32 of the other terminalmeans 30 thus establishing electrical interconnection as well asinterlocking of the lampbulb and terminal means 40.

FIGURES 3, 4 and of the drawings illustrate in further detailillumination and terminal mounting means similar in structure to that ofFIG'URES 1 and 2. In place of terminal means 30 for use in conjunctionwith a switch portion immediately adjacent to and integral with thelamp-mounting base portion there is provided a modified base portion 48of insulating material having an elongated cavity 49 therewith andadapted for mounting of a terminal means generally indicated by numeral50. The terminal means 50 includes a wavy-contact end portion 51 axiallyand resiliently engageable with a lampbulb means such as 37. Also theterminal means 50 includes a crimp portion 52 angularly disposed withrespect to the wavy contact portion 51 and integral therewith. The crimpportion 52 engages one side of the mounting base portion 48 andlaterally grooved slots similar to the slot S in base portion 21 can beprovided to accommodate the terminal means 50 as well as combinationclip and terminal means 40 which are alike for the embodiments ofFIGURES 2 and 3.

FIGURE 4 represents an end view taken in the direc tion of arrow 4 inFIGURE 3 to show more clearly how the terminal means 40 provided withlegs 43 having notch-like recesses 46 can assure polarized mounting andinterlock of the lampbulb means 3'7 thereto. There is a polarizedpositioning of the lampbulb 37 having the laterally outwardly projectinglugs 39 engageable in the cutout recesses or notches 46 and the contactportion of the secondary terminal means such as represented by numerals30 and 50 can effect resilient biasing and electrical engagement of thelampbulb means in such polarized positioning.

FIGURE 5 illustrates an end view of structure in the direction of arrow5 in FIGURE 3. It is to be noted that a tang T assures locking ofterminal means 50 relative to the base portion 48 and this tang T can beseen extending integrally from the contact portion 51 in FIGURES 3 and5. It is to be noted that the interlock and interconnection electricallyof the terminal and bayonet-type lampbulb means as resilientlymaintained by axial pressure of resilient contact portions can permithorizontal as well as vertical mounting of the lampbulb means dependingupon angular positioning of base portions such as 21 and 48.

FIGURES 6 and 7 illustrate side and end views, respectively, of acartridge-like lamp and terminal mounting means similar to that shown inFIGURES 6, 7 and 8 of US. Patent 3,125,299-Woofter et al. issued March17, 1964. A lampbulb means generally indicated by numeral 74 includes acentral cylindrical glass envelope as well as a pair of opposite metalsleeve-like end portions 75 adapted to fit between arcuate legs 77 ofcombination clip and terminal means generally indicated by numeral 78.Each of these combination clip and terminal means 78 can have a crimpportion 79 integral therewith as well as laterally outwardly projectingtangs 88 adapted to abut against a mounting panel or base portion 81having suitable passages or slots therein through which the arcuate legs77 can be fitted. It is to be noted that the terminal means 78 isdifierent than the terminal means 60 which includes the limitprojections 63 as well as the stabilizing projection P visible in FIGURES 10 and 11 of US. Patent 3,125,299Woofter et al. issued March 17,1964.

FIGURE 8 illustrates a base portion generally indicated by numeral 84providing a cavity 85 extending longitudinally thereof and includingprovision for mounting two lampbulb means such as generally indicated bynumeral 37 as noted for the structure of FIGURE 2. The base portion 84is made of moldable insulating material and terminal means generallyindicated by numeral 48 can be fitted thereto as previously described.Each of the legs or arms 43 of terminal means 40 can be provided with acutout or notch-like recess 46 in which a bayonet lug or lateralprojection 39 of the bulb can be fitted for polarizing engagementtherewith. A pair of combination clip and terminal means 40 having suchnotches can be provided and only a single common ground connection canbe provided by use of a terminal means generally indicated by numeral 86having a generally U-shaped configuration including a midportion 87which can be provided with an integral crimping or wire attachingportion as well as a pair of resilient legs 88 each provided with wavyend portions 89 which can bias the two lampbulb means 37 in oppositedirections axially away from each other though assuring interlocking ofthe bayonet lugs 39 relative to the notch-like recesses 46 forpolarization relative to the terminal means 40. Suitable tangs can beprovided on opposite sides and extending integrally from the legs 88 forholding the terminal means 86 in position relative to the base portion84. It is to be understood that a suitable lens of translucent plasticor glasslike material can be fitted to the base portion 84.

FIGURE 9 provides a side view of a further lamp mounting assemblygenerally indicated by numeral 90 and including a base portion 91 aswell as a lens 92 having integral hook-like projections 93 adapted tosnap fit along an underside of a flange 94 of the base portion 91. Thebase portion 91 can be provided further with a pair of projections 95and 96 adapted to fit in a mounting panel aperture on a motor vehiclesuch that a barb or lateral projection 97 integral with the projectionor member 96 can establish locked engagement with the aperture having aperipheral edge adapted to be engaged by this barb 97. The lens 92 canbe removed from the base portion by rotating the lens in eitherdirection. The lens locking barbs or projections 93 cooperate with ramps98 adjacent to the flange portion 94. Three or more lens locking barbsor projections 93 can be provided on an annular lens, for example, suchthat threee slots or openings adjacent to ramps 98 can be provided inthe plastic base portion 91. Thus, when the lens is rotated in eitherdirection the angle of the ramps 98 which in effect are edges definingopenings adjacent thereto permit the lens locking barbs or projections93 to conduct the ramps. Continued rotation of the lens causes the lenslocking barbs to move inwardly and once the barbs or projections 93 havecleared the opening the lens is released to be removable from the baseportion 91. The lens can be easily reassembled to the base portion byaligning the lens locking barbs with the openings or slots providedadjacent to the ramps 98 and the lens can be resiliently snapped intoplace for locking engagement with the base portion 91.

It is to be understood that base portions such as 21 and 48 can beprovided with screw holes for mounting or with integrally molded onspringing nibs or projections such as 95-96-97 shown in FIGURE 9. It isto be noted that the illumination and terminal mounting means inaccordance with the present invention can be made chiefly of insulatingmaterials including moldable plastic and the like which can beprecolored to blend or contrast with interior decorations and upholsteryof a motor vehicle. Differing terminal means connected directly towiring can permit a saving in additional connections and assembly timecan be appreciably reduced with a minimum of parts and effort. In viewof polarized fit of bayonet projections on a lampbulb means relative tonotches with respect to terminal means 40 it is believed that suchillumination and mounting means in accordance with the present inventioncan provide more advantageous and economical assembly and disassembly ofcomponents on a motor vehicle.

While the embodiments of the present invention as herein disclosedconstitute preferred forms, it is to be understood that other formsmight be adopted.

What is claimed is as follows:

1. Illumination and terminal mounting means, comprising, a base portionof insulating material having slots therein, first terminal means havinga generally L-shape including a contact portion projecting through oneof the slots and an integral crimp portion adjacent to said base, asecond terminal means including combination crimp and U-shaped clipportions integral with each other, said U-shaped clip portion includinga pair of arcuate legs which project through a pair of slots in saidbase portion and each having a notch-like recess along one edge thereof,and bayonet-type lampbulb means having a metal base with a pair oflaterally outwardly projecting lugs which interlock with said notch-likerecess of each leg.

2. The illumination and terminal mounting means of claim 1 wherein saidcontact portion of said first terminal means is positioned substantiallytransversely to said legs of said second terminal means in a locationadjacent to each of said notch-like recesses thereof, said contactportion having resilience to urge said bulb means axially to maintainpolarizing interlock of said lugs in said recesses.

3. Illumination and terminal mounting means, comprising, a base portionof insulating material having slots therein and an elongated cavitytherewith, an extension integral with said base portion and having anaperture therethrough, first terminal means having a generally L-shapeincluding a contact portion projecting through one of the slots and adefiectable end extending to said extension having the aperture, on-ofiactuator means carried by the extension and projecting in part throughthe aperture, said actuator means in deflection of said end of saidfirst terminal means serving for on-off switclung of electricalenergization to said first terminal means, a second terminal meansincluding combination crimp and U-shaped clip portions integral witheach other, said U-shaped clip portion including a pair of arcuate legswhich project through a pair of slots in sa1d base portion and eachhaving a notch-like recess along one edge thereof,

and a bayonet-type lampbulb means having a metal base with a pair oflaterally outwardly projecting lugs which interlock with said notch-likerecess of each leg.

4. The illumination and terminal mounting means of claim 3 wherein saidcontact portion of said first terminal means is positioned substantiallytransversely to said legs of said second terminal means in a locationadjacent to each of said notch-like recesses thereof, said contactportion having resilience to urge said bulb means axially to maintainpolarizing interlock of said lugs in said recesses.

5. A lamp mounting assembly, comprising, a mounting base portion havingundercut bezel-like fianging as well as a lens portion both ofinsulating material complementary to each other, said lens portion beingengageable with though separable from the base portion by individuallyspaced locking barbs projecting integrally from said lens portion, saidindividually spaced barbs per se being displaceable by flexing for snapon-off engagement as well as twisting during separation thereof withsaid lens portion away from said base portion having replaceablelightbulb means including outwardly projecting lug means thereon, atleast one combination clip and terminal means fitted into mountingassembly with said base portion as well as in electrical engagement withbulb means while a conductor is attached directly to a side of the clipand terminal means separated from the bulb means by said base portion ofthe assembly, and an additional base-portion-mounted terminal having acontact portion located transversely adjacent to one side of saidcombination clip and terminal means with the latter including notch-likerecess-forming means to complement said outwardly projecting lug meansin mechanical interlock during electrical interconnection of the bulbmeans and said combination clip and terminal means carried by said baseportion, said barbs being provided at least in pairs engageable anddisplaceable in predetermined locations only at said undercut bezel-likefianging of said base portion.

6. The assembly of claim 5 wherein said additional terminal has a pairof contact portions each with wavy ends adapted resiliently to urge duallampbulb means in opposite directions, each of said lampbulb meanshaving projecting lug means to complement notch-like recessforming meansof a pair of combination clip and terminal means longitudinallyseparated from each other as mounted on said base portion.

7. The assembly of claim 5 wherein said base portion in locationsadjacent to said undercut bezel-like fianging has pairs of ramps engagedby said barbs only during rotation of said lens portion in either ofopposite directions, said ramps each extending radially inwardly asengaged by said barbs that move corresponding inwardly until unlockedfrom engagement with said fianging of said base portion subject toreassembly of said lens portion during resilient snap fit of said barbsback into locking engagement with fianging of said base portion inlocations between said ramps 8. In a lamp mounting assembly having amounting base portion with undercut bezel-like fianging as well as alens portion both of insulating material complementary to each other andhaving base supported terminal means electrically energizable inengagement with lampbulb means spaced between the base and lensportions, the improvement which comprises individually spaced barbs perse integrally carried by the lens portion and normally interlockedcomplementary to fianging of the base portion in locations coincidentwith slots in the base portion, and a pair of ramps extending inwardlyfrom the fianging at each slot as edges thereof contacted by said barbsupon rotation of the lens portion in a plane of movement coinciding withthe fianging, said barbs during such rotation being moved inwardly toclear the fianging at each of the slots in axial release of the lensportion in response to said rotation as to the base portion, said barbson the lens portion having a resilient snap fit during reassembly to thebase portion flanging in alignment with the slots defining said rampsfor subsequent release of said barbs from interlock as defined.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 12/24 Appleton339258 X 8/37 Prance 240' 7.1

Just 339-2S6 X Kalrner 339276 X Ritz-Woller et al. 339188 X Chieger240-8.2 Baldwin 240-7.1

Black 240-7.1

Dickson 240-8.2

NORTON ANSHER, Primary Examiner.

8. IN A LAMP MOUNTING ASSEMBLY HAVING A MOUNTING BASE PORTION WITHUNDERCUT BEZEL-LIKE FLANGING AS WELL AS A LENS PORTION BOTH OFINSULATING MATERIAL COMPLEMENTARY TO EACH OTHER AND HAVING BASESUPPORTED TERMINAL MEANS ELECTRICALLY ENERGIZABLE IN ENGAGEMENT WITHLAMPBULB MEANS SPACED BETWEEN THE BASE AND LENS PORTIONS, THEIMPROVEMENT WHICH COMPRISES INDIVIDUALLY SPACED BARBS PER SE INTEGRALLYCARRIED BY THE LENS PORTION AND NORMALLY INTERLOCKED COMPLEMENTARY TOFLANGING OFTHE BASE PORTION IN LOCATIONS COINCIDENT WITH SLOTS IN THEBASE PORTION, AND A PAIR OF RAMPS EXTENDING INWARDLY FROM THE FLANGINGAT EACH SLOT AS EDGES THEREOF CONTACTED BY SAID BARBS UPON ROTATION OFTHE LENS PORTION IN A PLANE OF MOVEMENT COINCIDING WITH THE FLANGING,SAID BARBS DURING SUCH ROTATION BEING MOVED INWARDLY TO CLEAR THEFLANGING AT EACH OF THE SLOTS IN AXIAL RELEASE OF THE LENS PORTION INRESPONSE TO SAID ROTATION AS TO THE BASE PORTION, SAID BARBS ON THE LENSPORTION HAVING A RESILIENT SNAP FIT DURING REASSEMBLY TO THE BASEPORTION FLANGING IN ALIGNMENT WITH THE SLOTS DEFINING SAID RAMPS FORSUBSEQUENT RELEASE OF SAID BARBS FROM INTERLOCK AS DEFINED.